Do you need to shave before a gynaecology appointment?
Why shaving before a gynaecological examination has no medical purpose, the risks it carries, and what actually helps you prepare for the appointment.
There is no medical need or benefit in shaving the genital area before a gynaecological examination. A great many women worry that going to an appointment unshaven is somehow a failing — some even put off their routine check-up because of it. What follows sets out the reality, and what actually deserves attention before an appointment.
Does shaving affect the examination?
Hair in the genital area is a completely natural and healthy part of the body. During an examination the doctor's focus is on the health of the vulva, the vagina, the cervix and the pelvic organs. The presence of hair does not in any way make the examination, the placing of the speculum, an ultrasound scan or a smear test more difficult. The length or presence of hair is of no significance whatever to your doctor.
What are the risks of shaving?
- Folliculitis: shaving with a razor causes microscopic irritation at the hair roots, which lets bacteria in and can cause inflammation.
- Ingrown hairs (pseudofolliculitis): after shaving, hairs can curl and grow beneath the skin, producing itchy, red bumps.
- Risk of infection: the small breaks in the skin that shaving creates can make it easier for certain viruses to settle there.
- Making diagnosis harder: the redness and irritation caused by shaving can be mistaken at the examination for a genuine sign of infection, and can make accurate assessment more difficult.
What actually deserves attention before an appointment?
- An empty bladder: you should empty your bladder before a standard examination; a full bladder makes the examination harder and is uncomfortable. (The exception: if you are attending for urinary leakage, your doctor may ask for different preparation.)
- Timing: the ideal period for routine checks and a smear test is days 10 to 18 after your period has finished. In urgent situations an examination can be carried out during a period as well.
- Waiting after sex: if a smear test or a vaginal culture is to be taken, avoiding intercourse for 48 hours beforehand is advised; otherwise the results can be affected.
- Avoiding vaginal products: vaginal douches, tampons, creams and pessaries should not be used in the 48 hours before the examination. On the morning of the appointment, washing the external area with lukewarm water alone is enough.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be examined during my period? In urgent situations, yes; but for routine checks and a smear test the days after your period has finished are more suitable.
Should I do anything special to clean beforehand? No — washing with lukewarm water is enough; there is no need for soap, perfumed products or vaginal douching.
This page is for information. It does not replace an examination or individual medical advice.